Farm-Fair-Kualoa-Ranch-Keiki-Farm-Hands

Enter the "Keiki Farm Hands" tent and you'll find dozens of chicks in an incubator and get to milk a life-size cow replica.

Would you like to spend a day in the country showing your keiki farm animals, eating fresh produce and learning about agriculture? Throw in rides, inflatables, eating contests and plant sales and there's a lot to keep your ‘ohana busy.

The Hawai‘i State Farm Fair is now in its 55th year. But, since our family only moved back to ‘Oahu a couple of years ago, we haven’t had a chance to attend the Kualoa Ranch event yet. My memories of the fair date back to petting Lani Moo and being wowed by the size of the 4-H pigs back when it was held at McKinley High School decades ago.

So, I got in touch with the organizers of the fair, which is put on by the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i State Department of Agriculture and Hawai‘i State 4-H Livestock Council, to find out what to learn, pet, play, eat and buy at the Farm Fair this year. Hopefully their information can help you plan out your visit too.

Our Tips

1. Hit the hands-on keiki activities. The fair aims to teach the public about farming and ranching in Hawai‘i and this year’s theme is “Growing For Your Future.” Little kids can participate in the interactive Keiki Farm Hands tent where they can see a chick incubator, milk a life-size cow (replica), watch how bees make honey, play in hay and ride on a mini tractor. Older children and adults can learn from 25 exhibitors, including the Hawai‘i Beef and Pork Councils, Hanalei Taro and Meadow Gold, in the “Buy Local, It Matters” Education Pavilion.

2. Avoid the crowds. The busiest time is usually between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. because people like to eat lunch there. Consider coming later and staying for dinner instead.

3. Bring a change of clothes for the eating contests. The kids-only Pie Find Contest (scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.) and the adult and child Watermelon Eating Contest (Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.) are especially messy. Other contests include corn-husking and the adult-only chili-pepper challenge. Contests are entered on a first-come first-serve basis but participants are asked to enter only one to give others an opportunity. Another on-stage hit with the keiki is Steve-O the Clown, who is scheduled to perform on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. See the Hawai‘i State Farm Fair's website for the latest information.

Watermelon-Eating-Contest.jpg

A boy competes in a watermelon eating contest.

4. Check out the animals in the 4-H Livestock Tent. Where else can you see 10 steer, 25 pigs, nine sheep, 11 goats, nine rabbits, 15 chickens and a guinea pig? You and your keiki can also watch animal showmanship events inside the 4-H tent and ask the young handlers questions. If your keiki wants to learn more, you can find out about 4-H branches and activities in your area.

5. Consider buying an all-day unlimited ride wristband. There will be four Extreme Fun rides and four inflatables. Each costs between $1 and $3 per ride. Or, you can buy a $20 unlimited ride wristband (for the day of purchase only.)

Farm-Fair-Pineapple.jpg

Pineapple are among the many fruits and vegetables you can buy and take home.

7. Buy fresh fruits, vegetables and plants to take home with you. Kamehameha Schools’ Country Market and Plant Sale offers a huge variety of fresh produce and plants for sale. Some of the most popular are sweet and in-season pineapple, watermelon and corn.

8. Don’t worry about parking or toilets. Parking is free and there is more than enough. There are lot of portable toilets as well as restrooms at the ranch.

The 55th Annual Hawai‘i State Farm Fair will be held at Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy., Kāne‘ohe, on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry costs $5 for adults and is free for children and students with a valid ID. hawaiistatefarmfair.org.